Croydon still need a point to confirm their Ryman Division One status despite a Ben Judge inspired spirited late fightback in the 3-2 defeat at Molesey on Saturday.

While Croydon's hosts confirmed their survival with this victory the Blues still have a nervous wait though the future looks bleak for the current bottom three.

Former Blue Wesley Reid ran the show for the home side though Croydon's cause wasn't helped by some rank bad defending.

Just four minutes had gone when Simon Mitchell capitalised on shoddy marking to turn in the first from a corner.

Within a quarter of an hour Croydon found themselves two down when Neil Musgrove's long-range effort went through a crowd of players and nestled in the back of the net.

Only a fabulous save from Andrew Little prevented Reid grabbing a third while Croydon could only muster one worthwhile attempt on goal all half through Mark Watkins's header.

Croydon responded early in the second period with a spell of pressure but wasted a couple of free-kicks in good areas.

Then just the before the hour Molesey showed them how to do it when they effectively secured all the points with a well struck free-kick from the edge of the area.

But Croydon did at least show some fight and dominated the game from the moment Ben Judge's delicate 68th minute chip reduced the deficit.

Judge almost immediately added a second but his shot cannoned off the bar and away to safety.

He did ensure a frantic finale with his and Croydon's second six minutes from time but as is so often the story it was a case of too little too late.

Disgruntled Croydon fans were once again left pondering why their team couldn't perform for the whole game as they had in the final half an hour.

Croydon's home fixture with Berkhampstead has been rearranged for Wednesday, April 29.

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